IT’S HIGH-WATER HALF-WAY HUMP-DAY AND THE VOXFROCKERS HAVE SPLIT UP TO COVER VAMFF FROM EVERY ANGLE JUST FOR YOU, DEAR READER, FROM RUNWAY REHEARSALS AND PRODUCTION ADVENTURES BACKSTAGE, TO THE SHOWS AND ROWS, A THROUGH ZEE OUT FRONT.
WE POPPED IN TO VAMFF’S SOLD-OUT INDUSTRY FORUMS TOO, HOSTED BY FASHION’S FAVORITE RANG-ER GLYNIS TRAILL-NASH, AND OUR ROOKIE WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY CREWS HAVE JOTTED AND SHOT, FLAT-CHAT LIKE A BATTALION OF CONSUMMATE PROS SINCE KICK-OFF LAST SATURDAY. TODAY, SENIOR COLUMNIST, DANIEL HUMPHREYS, THE FANTASTIC MR. VOX, HAS ALSO POPPED BY TO FILE A SHORT-SHOT REPORT FROM FORUM 1. TODAY’S IS A LONG, BUT AWFULLY FASHIONABLE POST FOLKS, WE HOPE YOU’LL STICK AROUND TO SCROLL DOWN TO ITS FROCKYLAST PAR….
WORDS: SIMONE POOLE, VOXFROCK ROOKIE CREW.
PHOTOGRAPHS – BACKSTAGE AND STREET: LAUREN THOM AND THE RMIT ROOKIE CREW (COMPLETE PHOTO ESSAY: WWW.THELOUPE.ORG)
PHOTOGRAPHS – RUNWAY: LUCAS DAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY (MAIN PHOTO, TOP: CARLA ZAMPATTI BY LUCAS DAWSON)
RUNWAY 5
I hope we all like slacks and skirts with middle slits because every designer had them in this show, sponsored by Harper’s Bazaar! And, here’s a daring variation for a bold few: mono-sleeved tops and mono-legged trousers by Christopher Esber. Yeojin Bae showed form-fitting silhouettes and decadent mid-length dresses. Martin Grant played with shapes around the waist, and made the neck a focal point with elegant decals and basic black tops. Carla Zampatti showed us why she’s been in the business for 50 years with modern prints and classy styling: shift dresses, flared pants and fur. Alex Perry made me want to reach out and touch every one of his rich, textural designs. His use of crochet however, divided the audience; some loving it and others…
RUNWAY 6
A chic show by a brace of boutique labels, presented by Cosmopolitan magazine. Shona Joy mixed structural elements with flowing movement and got it so right. Most memorable; her dark wool pieces with leather detailing. Finders Keepers is well loved, and this group showed many reasons why, including the sense of freedom in some designs, and the strength and crisp structure of others. The stylist who decided to tie a knitted jumper around the neck to act as a scarf for Wild Horses is a genius! It was dapper but practical and by far, one of my favourite looks. Converse sneakers were styled for a casual vibe with hoodies and boyfriend jeans in The Fifth Label’s segment. Cut-out crop tops and a black, white and green flower print jumpsuit also made for an elegant touch. Duster coats are a trend I’ve seen a lot, and Cameo provided the goods with a sleeved and sleeveless options and finally, its light blazer is a must-have, while the black and white rectangular print was effortless and glam.
FASHION INDUSTRY FORUM 2. REVIEW: SIMONE POOLE
“The Sell Out – Stay True to your Creative Vision; Here’s Why”, with panellists Jemma Dyas of Être Cécile, Catherine Baba, international stylist, Pip Edwards, stylist, designer and creative brand consultant and Matt Jensen, CEO of M.J. Bale.
From left; Glynis Traill-Nash, Pip Edwards, Jemma Dyas, Catherine Baba and Matt Jensen PHOTO: LUCAS DAWSON
How to stay true to your creative vision amid pressing commercial concerns? Remember; “Money doesn’t make ideas, ideas make money” said Pip Edwards, design director of General Pants Co. Fellow panelist Jemma Dyas, one third partner of Etre Cecile, said the “off-beat edge” and “sense of humour” within her brand may not be commercial, but it’s in Etre Cecile’s DNA and, while creativity is essential, these elements are also important. CEO of menswear label M.J Bale, Matt Jensen echoed Ms. Dyas’s point: “You have to have your creativity and maintenance structure in equal check.” Stylist Catherine Baba recounted thet, after leaving for Paris straight out of high school in the mid ‘90s she called people “daaarling” and replaced ‘yes’ with “we we” (for inexplicable reasons). Laughter erupted, but Ms. Baba didn’t joke about creative freedom; “If people are going to try to drown your creativity, fire them.” More laughter, before she added; “I’m serious, don’t let people do that.”
FASHION INDUSTRY FORUM 1. REVIEW: DANIEL HUMPHREYS
“Mass Intimacy, Customer to Customer Endorsement” with panellists Assia Benmedjdoub, editor of Ragtrader, Lisa Messenger, founder and editor-in-chief of Collective Hub, Cathryn Wills, managing director of MIMCO and Margaret Zhang, founder and creative director of ShineByThree.
From left, Glynis Traill-Nash, Margaret Zhang, Cathryn Wills, Lisa Messenger
Brands need to be authentic, honest and engaging so customers feel included and part of a community. Engage customers online as you would offline; face to face. As Ragtrader’s gorgeous editor Assia Benmedjdoub said; “knowledge is power.”
